Maris Racal on keeping ‘Marupok A+’ a secret from parents

Maris Racal as Beanie Landridos

Maris Racal insisted on doing a “sensitive” scene in Quark Henares’ dark comedy “Marupok A+,” but now that it is screening in cinemas, the actress admitted she would feel nervous watching the film with her parents.

“I actually feel really tense and nervous now that we’re talking about it, but I fought for that scene to be included. I was game! At that point in my life, I was ready to grow, to evolve as an actress,” Maris told reporters during a special screening recently.

“It’s a first for me, ever. Actually, my parents don’t know about this movie, or even my other project, ‘The Kangks Show.’ My mom is like Mama Mary,” Maris said with a laugh, while putting her hands together to mimic praying. “I’ll make my parents watch it when they’re 80 and are already too weak to slap my face.”

Real-life account

Maris then recalled the time her mom heard of ‘The Kangks Show’ and confronted her. “She wanted to watch it. She said, ‘I promise not to judge you. I’ve been a film lover since I was young. I actually wanted to become an actress myself.’ So I guess we can do a movie marathon together. I will just leave when it gets too awkward for her,” Maris added.

“Marupok A+” is based on the real-life account of transgender woman Jzan Vern Tero, whose Twitter thread about how she got catfished by two people went viral in 2020.

The film follows EJ Jallorina as Jansen Torres, who finds what she believes to be true love with Theo Balmaceda (Royce Cabrera) on a dating app. The situation gets darker until she learns that everything is controlled and orchestrated by Beanie Landridos (Maris).

EJ Jallorina (left), Racal, and Royce Cabrera at the recent media screening of “Marupok A+” —Photos by ANIMA STUDIOS

Rave reviews

“For me, this role is so different. Beanie is a very dark character. You will hear her utter words you’ve never heard from me before. I did Beanie before I played Irene Tsiu (in ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’). There’s pressure because I came from doing wholesome roles. I had to watch films that are considered edgy, with characters who are outspoken and somewhat sociopathic, just to get into the world of Beanie.”

Maris is aware of the rave reviews she has been getting from those who attended the special screening at last year’s Cinemalaya film fest. “Marupok A+” also made the rounds in festivals in Italy, Spain and the United States.

“I realized how much I enjoy playing kontrabida. As the villain, you control the scene. You have the ability to put all your anger and frustration into the scene, and your coactor will just have to take the punches. As an actor, it helps ignite your passion,” she pointed out.

Maris said the news that the movie has been screening in Ayala Malls nationwide since July 10 came as a surprise to her. “I learned about it only two weeks before the showing date, but it’s happy news,” Maris said.

Quark said he and cowriter John Bedia studied the Sogie equality bill prior to writing the script. “I acknowledge that I’m a cishead and a privileged Filipino, so my experiences are different compared to those in the trans community,” Quark said.

“I wanted to make it right with them, so the love scene, for example, was directed by Rod Singh. We had consultants on the set all the time. In fact, we would often talk with Jzan about the script. This is really through her eyes. But even now that so much time has passed, I feel that the film is still more pressing, more important, especially with the Sogie bill coming out,” he added.

Emotional experience

Quark is convinced that the transgender community is especially vulnerable to catfishing. “We showed some cuts to (writer-activist) Mela Habijan. It was an emotional experience for her. She said there are trans women who are successful in their fields, ‘pero parang nanlilimos ng pag-ibig.’ That was her term,” Quark said.

“Sometimes, you just want love and so you’re willing to believe, to go that extra mile for it. It was an eye-opening experience for me.”

EJ, who is a former child actor, said she was aware of people’s reactions when they found out she is now a transwoman. “I’m happy with their reactions, especially from supporters outside the trans community. They are the people who want to tell our stories. This is important to me—this means LGBTQIA+ performers have work. What’s even more important is that we should nurture and support these artists who tell bold and daring stories like this one,” EJ said.

“Marupok A+,” produced under Anima Studios, was made with the support of the 2022 Full Circle Lab of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.